Method, apparatus and system for selecting, ordering and purchasing glass products

ABSTRACT

A system, apparatus and method for facilitating the selection, purchasing and ordering glass products, which is informative to guide a novice user in selecting a glass product, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more than one manufacturer, the present invention providing an apparatus with a processor which is controlled by software to facilitate a selection process which integrates the comparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, including particular properties of particular components of a glass product, the apparatus can work with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmed to display graphics associated with selections and potential selections for glass products. The system and method providing selection menus for display on a display device and an animation graphic associated with a selection presented to the user. The system, apparatus, and method integrates the glass product selection information which the user chooses, and preferably the invention makes selections for the user, based on the user&#39;s previous choices and specified target performances to present to the user potential glass products.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Serial No. 60/338,791, the complete disclosure of which isherein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and systemfor selecting, ordering and purchasing glass products, in particularglass fabrication products used in the construction of doors, windows,skylights, storefront, curtainwall, and other residential and commercialglass applications.

[0004] 2. Brief Description of the Related Art

[0005] Glass panels are used widely in the construction of buildings,and are primarily used in the form of a door or window. The glass windowor door panel may comprise a single layer of glass, or multiple layersof glass, laminated together or separated with an insulating material orgas there between. For example, insulating glass fabrications may havetwo panels of glass separated by an insulator, such as air or argon gas,which is sealed between the glass panels.

[0006] Glass products are utilized to satisfy a variety of aesthetic aswell as functional requirements. For example, an architect designing astructure, such as a building or dwelling, typically begins the glassselection process by specifying certain colors for the glass which willcomprise the windows or doors. Architects and designers may selectcertain colors for glass in residential and commercial applications.Glass color is integrated by the designer or architect in conjunctionwith the other building materials, including their textures and colors.

[0007] The color of glass may affect other physical properties of theglass or bear a relationship to characteristics of the glass. Forexample, performance characteristics for glass, may include colors,transmission, reflection, transparency, absorption, thickness, weight,and other physical or observable properties. In the past it has beentime-consuming and difficult to determine the glass requirements to beincluded in a glass specification. For example, one traditional way toobtain information needed in writing a glass specification is tomanually sort through numerous catalogs, or reference sheets identifyingcharacteristics for glass. This method generally involves lookingthrough a manufacturer's catalog to ascertain whether there is aparticular glass that meets ones requirements for color and performance.Often an individual may look to more than one manufacturer's catalog andcontinue this process in search of a particular glass, or glassfabrication. The process is even more complex when more than a singleglass panel is involved, as many glass specifications written todaycomprise insulating glass or laminated glass panels. Many codes andregulations mandate minimum insulation requirements that must be met bythe specified glass products. The selection of glass products haslargely been through reference to a single company's product catalog,presenting for selection the glass products of that company.

[0008] Another traditional way to arrive at a glass product is toconsult a trained product representative who would utilize a computersoftware program, which is essentially a database of glass informationfrom which calculations may be made. This type of program does notprovide a specification, but rather, provides a basic result of acalculation. One would then take the numbers obtained from thecalculation and interpret them in order to finalize the glass selectionprocess. From there, the glass specification would be developed. Withthis prior method, it appears that even after ascertaining thecalculated values, there still needs to be prepared a glassspecification, which requires the utilization of the information fromthe calculations obtained with the program. Once calculated, in theevent that the glass performance characteristics specification do notsatisfy the target performance requirements, changes would requirerecalculating the numbers in order to provide acceptable color andperformance characteristics. The recalculation can take place many timesbefore a desirable specification is obtained, and the recalculationgenerally requires that the user perform an additional calculation, inthe same manner as the first calculation. This process is not only timeconsuming, but requires users to start over each time a new calculationis to be performed. And even then, after determining that a particularglass product, when the performance calculation is completed, wouldpotentially meet the properties desired, after arriving at a glassspecification, often a sample must be obtained to visually evaluate theglass. Since the calculation may be time consuming, calculating,deriving a specification and obtaining a sample may be done severaltimes before a suitable glass selection is arrived at. This process canoften take several days or much longer.

[0009] The software available for use in connection with the calculationof numeric values for certain properties of glass products generallyrequires the user to have detailed prior knowledge in order to select aglass for a starting point. From there, the type of glass which the userselects, either from the user's own prior knowledge or a catalog, couldbe tested to determine whether that selection would be appropriate forthe performance properties desired. A drawback of this type of processis that the user was essentially required to possess particularknowledge in order to select a starting point to make a glass selection.From there, calculations would be made and the user could test thecalculations arrived at with the program against the desired performanceproperties for the glass. If the performance properties were notacceptable, then the user would repeat the calculation from thebeginning, selecting another glass product to test.

[0010] One example of a prior software program used in connection withglass products is WINDOW 4.1, a program which compares a user's glassproduct input with a database of glass performance characteristics forthe selected glass product to determine the selected product performanceproperties. The database information for the program comprises measuredcharacteristics for a number of glass products which are recalled whenthe associated glass product is selected by the user.

[0011] In many instances selecting a glass product is even more complex,since a glass fabrication may, as mentioned above, comprise a compositeof one or more glass panels which can be laminated together, includeglass coatings or other performance enhancing materials. Further addingto the array of the glass structure may be films or layers between thecomposite, such as insulating materials including air, argon or othergases. All of these additional components affect the performancecharacteristics of the glass. In addition, often, it may not bedesirable for a single manufacturer of a glass panel to supply bothpanels or components used to comprise a glass product. This may be thecase, for example, where the glass product is an insulating or laminatedproduct. In many instances, it may be necessary to utilize products foran insulating or laminated glass product which are supplied by one ormore different manufacturers. This further adds to the complexity ofselecting glass products and arriving at a glass specification whichwill satisfy the performance characteristics desired for theapplication. Designers who work with glass products which are asignificant element of a structure or other design, a most commonexample being window panels of a building, must take into considerationthe performance properties of the glass, and if laminated, coated, ormulti-layered, the properties of any other materials, as well as theircumulative or combined effect on the glass.

[0012] A need exists for a way to facilitate glass selection so thatexperienced or novice users may arrive at a glass specification tofacilitate selecting a glass product, ordering a glass product, andpurchasing a glass product, without requiring the user to preselect aproduct, and which is informative to guide the user in selecting a glassproduct, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more thanone manufacturer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention provides an apparatus, system and methodfor selecting, ordering and purchasing of glass products. The presentinvention provides an apparatus with a processor which is controlled bysoftware to facilitate a selection process which integrates thecomparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, includingparticular properties of particular components of a glass product. Theinvention provides a method, apparatus and system for the selection ofglass products which facilitates the presentation of potential glassproduct selections for both novice and experienced users who accessstored data from a data file, using a computer. The apparatus can workwith a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmedto display graphics associated with selections and potential selectionsfor glass products.

[0014] The invention facilitates the glass selection and specificationprocess which architects, designers and specifiers undertake in arrivingat a glass specification for a building project. The target performanceproperties for a glass product may be used to arrive at a specificationin conjunction with aesthetic properties (color). The inventionfacilitates obtaining performance characteristics for the glass productwhich satisfy the performance targets of the architect, designer orspecifier. The performance targets preferably are achieved inconjunction with the color choice, another property of the glassproducts which may be taken into consideration in arriving at a glassspecification. Spectral performance data for individual glass productsis stored in a data storage device and may be displayed for view toprovide information about a particular glass component or glass product.

[0015] An animation graphic preferably may be provided and associatedwith a selection presented to the user. The animation graphicfacilitates instructing the user of the associated selection.Preferably, the animation graphic is stored in a data file, which isretrieved and displayed to the user on a screen when the user inputdevice encounters the associated selection.

[0016] The selection, referred to as a glass performance property, maybe a glass type, such as a glass fabrication or rating, or physicalproperty, or combinations of these. In this manner, the data stored inthe data storage device may provide information concerning glassproducts and properties of the products. The system, apparatus, andmethod integrates the glass product selection information which the userchooses by actuating an input device, and preferably, makes selectionsfor the user, based on the user's previous choices to present to theuser potential glass products. The glass products may comprise afabrication which includes glass panels from one or more manufacturers.

[0017] The potential glass products are ascertainable from aspecification, or glass specification, which is arrived at throughprocessing with the computer the selections input by the user.

[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod for selecting, purchasing and ordering glass products which maybe used in a variety of commercial, residential or industrialapplications.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide amethod, system and apparatus for facilitating the development of aperformance-based architectural glass specification from which glassproducts can be ordered and purchased where the color and performancetargets may be selected in accordance with the designer's requirements.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod which permits a user to change one or more previously made glassproperty selections without having to reinput other previously madeglass property selections which the user desires to be taken intoaccount.

[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide adisplay of available glass product choices when particular selectionsare made by the user.

[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide ananimation graphic which is associated with a glass property or glasstype for display when the input device is moved to correspond with aglass property or type.

[0023] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a textwindow which appears on a display when the input device is moved tocorrespond with a glass property or type.

[0024] It is a further object of the present invention to provide agraphic window which is selectively movable on the display from onelocation to another location to provide information about a glassproduct.

[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide two ormore graphics windows which are selectively movable on the display fromone location to another to provide information about two or morerespective glass products for facilitating a comparison betweenselections.

[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide a novelmethod, apparatus and system for facilitating the selection, orderingand purchasing of glass products, where the glass product may beconstructed from the components of one or more manufacturers.

[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide a glassperformance characteristic for ascertaining a glass specification fromwhich an order for a glass product may be made.

[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide a glassperformance characteristic for ascertaining a glass specification whichmay be used for purchasing a glass product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0029]FIG. 1 is a printout of a screen display showing the fabricationmenu.

[0030]FIG. 2 is a printout of a screen display showing an informationwindow.

[0031]FIG. 3 is a printout of a screen display showing the outboard liteselection window and the glass type selections.

[0032]FIG. 4 is a printout of a screen display showing a productselection window.

[0033]FIG. 5 is a printout of a screen display showing a productselection window.

[0034]FIG. 6 is a printout of a screen display showing a productselection window for an inboard lite glass.

[0035]FIG. 7 is a printout of a screen display showing the targetperformance window and the actual performance window.

[0036]FIG. 8 is a printout of a screen display showing an informationgraphic window.

[0037]FIG. 9 is a printout of a glass specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] The present invention provides an apparatus, system and methodfor selecting, ordering and purchasing glass products. The presentinvention is described herein in connection with glass products whichmay comprise windows, doors, doorlites, skylights, storefronts,curtainwalls or glass panels for their construction. The apparatus ofthe present invention provides a processor, and a data storage devicewhich can operate in conjunction with a user input device, and a viewingdevice, such as a monitor on which to view the processed information.The processor may be provided in the form of a computer. A user inputdevice, such as, for example, a mouse or keyboard may be used tofacilitate the user's interaction with the apparatus. Alternately, theuser input device may comprise a touch panel or touch screen monitor.

[0039] Software is preferably implemented to manage the processor tofacilitate the operations involved in the selection of the glass productfrom user inputs and data stored in the data storage device. Glassproduct information is preferably stored in the data storage device. Thedata storage device may comprise a computer hard drive, disk or otherstorage media. The stored data may comprise glass type data. An exampleof glass type data may include fabrication data, such as informationabout monolithic glass, insulating glass, and laminated glass, as wellas spectral data for glass components and glass products which aresought to be ordered and purchased. The system may be operated directlyon a computer or through a communications link, such as the Internet,where a remote computer can be used to make selections and view data.

[0040]FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a screen display 10,illustrating a first selection menu or fabrication menu 11 for glassfabrication types, which include laminated glass, monolithic glass, andinsulating glass. Each fabrication type has different properties and maybe employed by a designer or architect for a particular purpose. In FIG.1, the fabrication selection window 12 shows the user's selection, inthis example, “insulating glass”. Referring to FIG. 2, information isdisplayed in an information window 13 when the user has selected a glassfabrication type, such as in this illustration where insulating glass isselected. The information window 13 displays information relating to thefabrication type selection. In this example, where insulating glass isselected, the further guidance information, which appears in theinformation window 13, is presented for display to the user. Theguidance information 14, shown comprising text and a graphic map of thescreen display, is stored in the data storage device and displayed on athe screen of the display unit, such as for example a monitor, when theprocessor processes the user's input from the fabrication menu 11selection.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a second selectionwindow or outboard lite selection window 15 which presents furtherinformation to the user for arriving at a glass specification for theinsulating glass fabrication type selected from the fabrication menu 12.The outboard lite selection window 15 is displayed. Glass productperformance characteristics are related to the physical properties ofthe glass which will ultimately be used in the manufacture of thedesired glass product for which the user is seeking a specification. Theoutboard lite selection window 15 identifies glass types for selection.As illustrated in this example, laminated and monolithic glass types areidentified and appear as potential selections in the outboard lite titlebar 16. A glass type selection menu is illustrated on the display screen10 appearing in FIG. 3 in the outboard lite title bar 16 with indiciaidentifying the glass types (laminated and monolithic), and which glasstype is selected (as shown by the arrow 17 pointing to monolithic).

[0042] In the screen display 10 illustrated in FIG. 3, monolithic glasshas been selected. Associated with the monolithic glass as a selectionare further secondary glass type selections which are presented to theuser and which appear in the outboard lite window 15. When themonolithic glass type is selected, as the selection indicia 17 indicatesin FIG. 3, the secondary glass type menu 20, shown as a dropdown menu,provides further selections for the monolithic glass. For example, asshown, Low-E type (or low emissivity) glass is selected.

[0043] Once the monolithic glass type is selected, an instruction may bedisplayed on the display screen 10, in a window (presenting text orgraphics) or an audible message given, or both. The instruction isprovided to facilitate prompting of a further selection from the user,such as a selection for the secondary glass type, in this illustration,Low-E. One or more additional selections for further specifying theglass product are provided. In this example, secondary glass types forthe monolithic glass are provided to appear in the second or outboardlite selection window 15. Monolithic glass types may be furtherspecified by one or more additional properties. For example, themonolithic drop down menu 20 provides monolithic glass types includingLow E, Advanced Tint, Basic Tint, and Reflectives (only the selectedtype, here Low-E being shown). Further information from which additionalselections may be made to configure the glass specification is providedon the screen display 10. In this example, where the user has alreadyselected monolithic glass, the input device may be operated by the userto correspond with the monolithic glass types. For example, when Low Eis selected, as it is in FIG. 3, a listing 21 of outboard lite glass isdisplayed in the outboard lite selection window 15, providing additionalinformation in the form of selections of Low E type monolithic glass. Inthe example illustrated in FIG. 3, two monolithic glass lites are listed22, 23 and appear in the outboard lite selection window 15.

[0044] A color selection menu 25 is provided. Preferably, the colorselection menu 25 comprises a visual display of indicia corresponding tocolor choices for glass product or glass component. In the presentexample, the color selection menu 25 shown in FIG. 3 illustrates aplurality of colors, including, neutral, clear, gray, bronze, green,green-blue, blue, gold, silver. Other colors and variations may beincluded. Color data is for the most part a property of the glassproducts or glass components comprising the glass product, such as forexample, the outboard lite monolithic glass component of an insulatingglass fabrication. The color data is stored in the data storage deviceand preferably is associated with glass components and/or the glassproducts which may be comprised of one or more glass components and theperformance data for these glass products and components. The colorselection menu 25 provides a choice for the glass color. As shown inFIG. 3, green is the selected color. Preferably the graphic displays agreen color in the selected portion 30 of the color menu 25. Preferably,the color selection menu's window 25 is animated. As shown in FIG. 3,the animation comprises as enlargement of the selected portion orrectangular color bar 30, so that more of the green color is visible. Inaddition, further indicia is provided in a flag window 31 which providesinformation, such as for example, text, indicating the color selected.

[0045] The color selection menu 25 preferably comprises a color graphicwhich provides a plurality of colors, such as, for example, as shown inFIG. 3, as a plurality of rectangular bars, which may be selected.Preferably, the color graphic may be animated or enhanced todifferentiate the selected color from other colors appearing in thecolor selection menu 25. In addition, color areas, such as rectangles,may be displayed for viewing on the screen display 10, and the area ofthe selected color may be made to appear more prominent when the userinput device is positioned to correspond with a color area. For example,the color area may be expanded to designate a particular colorselection, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0046] The color data for the monolithic glass is associated with glasstype data to provide a listing of the potential outside lite panelswhich a user may select as an outboard lite for an insulating glassfabrication (FIG. 3).

[0047] The selected information from the fabrication menu 11, theoutboard lite title bar menu 16, the glass type menu 20, and the colorselection menu 25 is associated with glass products or glass componentsfor a glass product, and is presented to the user for further selectionof glass products or glass components which are available for particularperformance selections. Preferably, a selection of glass componentproducts associated with the user's selections is presented on thescreen display 10. As illustrated in FIG. 3, two choices are available,respectively identified in the outboard lite product window 15 as afirst glass item or glass component 22 and a second glass item or glasscomponent 23. Each glass item or glass component identified may havedifferent properties from another glass product.

[0048] Each glass component product identified in FIG. 3 has particularproperties. A user who selects, for example, monolithic, Low E, greencolor glass, as is illustrated in the selections appearing on the screendisplay 10 of FIG. 3, has one or more glass items or glass componentsfor the outboard lite panel presented for display. These glass items 22,23 are identified on the screen display 10 to provide furtherinformation about the glass available for selection as an outboard liteof the insulating glass fabrication.

[0049] Preferably, the display of product information data which isstored in a data file in the data storage device is provided in aproduct selection window 33 (FIG. 4) which lists further glassproperties. For example, the glass properties listed for a particularglass in the product selection window 33 preferably may include, nominalthickness, visible light transmittance, visible light reflectance,U-value (winter), shading coefficient, and other pertinent information.

[0050] The product selection window 33 provides a selection option foropening the window 33 so that it remains on the screen display 10 forviewing to facilitate comparisons between one or more items availablefor selection. A user may determine that what is presented in theproduct selection window 33 is acceptable. However, the presentinvention provides the user with the opportunity to explore furtherglass components and compare them. The product selection window 33 canbe opened, and the user may elect to have one or more product selectionwindows remain on the screen so the user can compare performanceproperties for each of the glass items identified in the productselection windows. In FIG. 5, the product selection window 33 shown inFIG. 4 has been selected to remain open. In the open product selectionwindow 33′ shown in FIG. 5, the second listed glass item 23 has beenselected. Another product selection window 34 also shown in FIG. 5 hasbeen selected to remain open to identify the first listed outboard liteglass component 22 and the identification of performance properties forthat item 22. The product selection windows 33, 34 illustrate thedifferences for the glass items or components 22, 23 by providingperformance information which a user may compare.

[0051] Further information may be available for a particular glassproduct or glass component. Preferably, as shown in the productselection window 33 in FIG. 4, an indicating graphic 35 may be displayedto advise the user that further information is available. The additionalinformation about the glass product or component is stored in thestorage device, and may be displayed when a user selects the indicatinggraphic to have displayed on the display screen 10 additionalinformation.

[0052] The product display window 33 also has a selection graphic, sothat a particular glass item may then be selected by the user. Referringto FIG. 6, the second listed glass item 23 has been selected, and thelist of glass outboard lites 21 is provided with selection indicia,shown, for example, comprising underlining.

[0053] The selection process is then continued in the similar manner forthe inboard lite panel. The inboard lite selection window 40, shown inFIG. 6, includes further glass types for selection, such as, forexample, laminated and monolithic glass types in the inboard lite titlebar 41. A glass type selection menu 44 is illustrated on the displayscreen 10 appearing in FIG. 5 in the inboard lite title bar 41 withindicia identifying the glass types (laminated and monolithic) andidentifying which glass type is selected (as shown by the arrow 39).

[0054] The selections for the inboard lite glass may be made in themanner described herein as described and illustrated for the selectionsof the outboard lite. The user may select an inboard lite as a componentfor the insulating glass fabrication. The user may select the glass type(e.g., monolithic, laminated or other glass type) from the glass typeselection menu 44 illustrated in the title bar 41. The color of theinboard lite glass may be selected through a color selection menu 43.The inboard lite may be selected from a listing 51 of potential inboardlite glass components 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 which are listed on the inboardlite selection window 40.

[0055] In FIG. 6, once an inboard lite item has been selected from thelisting 51, a product selection window 52 opens to identify the user'sselection of that glass component, here item 46, from the inboard liteglass components shown as available choices in the inboard liteselection window 40. The selection indicia, shown here for examplecomprising a check mark, is designated by the user to make a selectionof the glass component or item 46, which is identified as “laminated ⅛″clear AN-0.030″ clear Saflex pvb-⅛″ PPG Sungate® 500 on cle[ar]”. Onceselected, the glass component selection 46 is underlined, as shown inFIG. 7.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an actual performancewindow 60 and a target performance window 61. The actual performancewindow 60 provides a visual display of the performance properties for aglass fabrication product, in this example, for an insulating glassproduct comprised of an outboard lite panel and an inboard lite panel.The performance properties listed for the glass product in the actualperformance window 60 include nominal thickness, visible reflectance,visible transmittance, U-value, solar heat gain coefficient, andapproved glass fabricator.

[0057] The target performance window 61 identifies target performancecharacteristics for a glass product. The target performance window 61has a plurality of performance menus 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 associated withglass performance characteristics. The nominal thickness performancemenu 62 permits the input of a target thickness to be designated. Asshown in FIG. 7, the user has designated a target nominal thickness forthe desired glass product as ⅜″ (10 mm). The visible reflectance targetvalue is designated to be 30% in the visible reflectance performancewindow 63. The visible transmittance window 64 shows that the user hasdesignated 50% for that target performance characteristic. The U-valueperformance window 65, (gas fill property), is selected to be 0.50, andthe solar heat gain coefficient has been selected at 0.30, the valueshown in the solar heat gain coefficient selection window 66.Preferably, a dropdown menu may be provided for the user to select oneore more, or a range of target performance values. In addition, whereperformance characteristics may be measured by different methods, orwhere one value may be appropriate to know for different glass products.For example, the U-Value may be measured where the gas fill is air, orwhere the gas fill is argon or some other gas. The secondary selectionindicia, illustrated for example as an arrow 70, permits the user toselect an appropriate performance target based on air, argon or otherfill gas. Similarly, the solar heat gain coefficient window 65, alsoprovides secondary selection indicia, which may for example, list ashading coefficient, and accordingly permit selections to be made by auser based on this performance characteristic.

[0058] The system recognizes the performance values entered by the userand processes the target performance values to compare the targetperformance characteristics with the actual performance characteristicsshown in the actual performance window 60. Where one or more of thedesignated target performance values deviate when compared with theactual performance values (or a range of predetermined values), furtherinformation may be provided on the screen display 10. An instructionwindow 75 is shown in FIG. 7. The instruction window 75 presentsinformation based on an association between the comparison of targetperformance values designated and the actual performance values for aselected glass product. The instruction window 75 provides indicia tofacilitate arriving at a glass product which is more likely to beacceptable to a user based on the user's designated target performancevalues. The information window 75 provides a map graphic 76 tofacilitate the location on the display screen 10 corresponding toinstructive indicia, such as for example instructive text 77. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 7, the instruction window 75 has a title bar78 where the performance characteristic which is being addressed isidentified. In FIG. 7, the shading coefficient is identified, and theinstructive text 77 indicates that reflective glass type for theoutboard lite and Low-E glass type for the inboard lite of theinsulating glass product are more likely to approach the designatedperformance characteristics shown in the target performance window 61.

[0059] The selection of alternate glass component products with thepresent system may be done without having to repeat prior selectionswhich are to remain as part of a subsequent selection. For example, ifthe user wants to select a reflective glass for the outboard lite, theuser may do so, and the prior selections, such as for example, theselection of insulating glass as the glass fabrication type and theinboard lite glass selection may remain. The selection of an alternateoutboard lite, for example, then provides updated actual performancecharacteristics in the actual performance window 60.

[0060] A user may input desired properties for a glass product. This maybe done prior to selecting a glass product type or after the selectionof a glass product type. For example, the target performance provides awindow where the user can select properties for a glass product. Thetarget performance window can be checked against the actual performancewindow so that a user may view both displays at the same time in orderto evaluate the glass product.

[0061] Information graphics preferably may be associated with one ormore glass properties or performance characteristics to facilitate theselection of a glass product. For example, an information graphic 80 isillustrated in FIG. 8. The information graphic window 80 is associatedwith transmittance performance for glass products and provides agraphical representation 81 of transmittance along with informative text82 which is provided in a text window 83. Preferably, an informationgraphic window may be associated with the performance characteristics,glass types, fabrication types as well as other information provided onthe display 10. An information graphic window, such as the informationgraphic window 80 illustrated in FIG. 8, is preferably activated when auser moves an input device to correspond with text or graphics on thedisplay relating to the performance characteristic, glass product orfabrication type, or other property appearing on the display. Theinformation graphic window can include a still graphic image, ananimation graphic, text or a combination of these, to provide furtherinformation corresponding with a display item or glass property.

[0062] Preferably, data is stored in the data storage device whichincludes glass properties, such as, for example, glass type, performancecharacteristics, and color. The glass properties may include spectraldata for a glass product or component. Each glass product and glasscomponent preferably has associated data. When the user makes aselection of a glass property, such as for example, Low-E, for amonolithic outboard lite, the software operates the processor to comparethe glass components or products which meet the selections, and thesoftware operates the processor to include one or more glass componentsor products meeting the selected characteristics. In this manner, as theuser makes selections with the present system, apparatus and method, thepotential available choices for glass products or components meeting theuser's desired target, based on the selection inputs, are narrowed.Preferably this is done with each selection, so that by the time theuser has made a final selection, the actual performance data can bereadily displayed in the actual performance window 60.

[0063] The system facilitates obtaining a glass specification, andutilizes the information and selections made by a user to arrive at apotentially suitable glass product. The product selections and actualperformance data is processed to produce a glass specification. Theglass specification can be transmitted to a location for arriving at anorder for a glass product which meets the specification. Thespecification can be printed or may be electronically transmitted. Theglass product can be purchased based on the user's selections, whichform a glass specification suitably adapted to the color and performancecharacteristics selected by the user.

[0064] It will be understood that default selections for fabricationtype, glass type, and other selection options, may be provided so that amenu has a selection, and the user may decide to accept or change thedefault selection.

1. An apparatus for facilitating the selection of glass products,comprising: a storage device; a display, and a processor connected tothe storage device, the storage device storing a program for controllingthe processor; and the processor operative with the program to receiveinformation inputs comprising characteristics of a glass product, anddisplaying on a display for selection one or more additionalcharacteristics of a glass product.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising animation data stored on 'said storage device, wherein saidanimation data is associated with a corresponding glass characteristicand displays an animated graphic on the display.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the selection of a characteristic of a glass productcauses the processor to process data associated with the selectedcharacteristic to display one or more additional characteristicsavailable for selection.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein theselection of a selected glass characteristic can be deleted to permitselecting one or more glass characteristics with the selections selectedbefore the deleted selection was made.
 5. A system for facilitating theselection, purchase or ordering of a glass product, comprising: astorage device, a processor for processing information stored in thestorage device, data stored in a data file comprising glass performancecharacteristics, the processor being provided for processing data todisplay indicia on the display identifying a glass fabrication type whenan input device is actuated to correspond with a glass fabrication typeof the glass fabrication type selection menu; associating data withglass characteristics to provide one or more performance characteristicsfor a glass product based on at least one prior selection of a glassperformance characteristic; and selecting one or more performancecharacteristics to provide information to associate data stored in thedata file representing a glass product with the selected performancecharacteristics, providing information identifying a glass producthaving the desired performance characteristics.
 6. The system of claim5, further comprising at least one animation graphic associated with oneor the other or both of a glass performance characteristic and glassfabrication type to provide additional information corresponding to therespective one or the other or both of the glass performancecharacteristic and glass fabrication type.
 7. The system of claim 5,wherein each glass performance characteristic selection selected isretractable to revert to the status of prior selections which were inplace before the retracted selection was implemented.
 8. The system ofclaim 5, wherein a display window is provided for displaying on adisplay device which identifies the performance characteristics for aglass product of a potential selection, and wherein said display windowis movable on said display.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein aplurality of display windows are provided, and wherein said plurality ofdisplay windows are openable and closable independent of each other. 10.The system of claim 5, wherein said performance characteristic includesa color graphic display for selection of glass color.
 11. The system ofclaim 5, wherein said performance characteristic includes performancecharacteristics for an inboard lite panel and performancecharacteristics for an outboard lite panel, and displaying on saiddisplay device performance characteristics for a composite glass productcomprised of a selected outboard lite panel and a selected inboard litepanel.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a glassfabrication menu for selecting a glass fabrication type, a glass typemenu for selecting a glass type for at least one glass component of aglass fabrication, a secondary glass type menu for selecting a secondaryglass characteristic for the at least one glass component of a glassfabrication, a color selection menu for selecting a color for the atleast one glass component of a glass fabrication.
 13. A method forselecting a glass product, comprising the steps of: selecting one ormore components for a glass product based on color and performancecharacteristics, designating target performance characteristics for theglass product, providing a processor and software for operating theprocessor, and processing the designated target performancecharacteristics to compare them to actual performance characteristicsfor the glass product comprised of the selected one or more components,and providing guidance information to recommend changing one or morecomponent selections to more closely approximate the actual performanceof the glass product with the target performance.
 14. A method forpurchasing a glass product, comprising the steps of selecting a glassproduct and transacting value for the purchase of the glass product,wherein selecting the glass product comprises identifying one or moreproperties for the glass product and processing with a computer theselection of the glass property to determine one or more glass productshaving the characteristic property, wherein the one or more identifiedproperties are selected, and wherein the selection of one identifiedproperty can be changed to another selection which with prior selectionswhich were not changed is processed to determine one or more glassproducts having the characteristic property.
 15. An apparatus forfacilitating glass product selection, comprising a processor, a storagedevice for storing data, data comprising properties for glass productsstored on the storage device, a display of properties for glassproducts.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, including a graphic display ofa glass product selectively viewable in connection with the glassproperties for glass type being selected.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16,wherein the graphic display comprises an animation graphic displayingone or more properties for a glass product.
 19. A method for purchasinga glass product, comprising the steps of: (a) using a first computercapable of accessing a second computer through a communication linkageto communicate with the second computer; (b) inputting an instructionfrom a first computer to a second computer to select one or moreproperties for a glass product; (c) processing the selection instructionto compare the data properties for glass products stored in glassproducts data base associated with the selection corresponding to theinstruction; (d) identifying one or more glass products with theassociated selected property; (e) repeating steps (b) through (d) untilan acceptable glass product is identified.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein after the selection of a first property for a glass product, theidentification of one or more additional properties compatible with thefirst selected property is displayed for selection;
 21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the step of selecting one or more additionalproperties is repeated until no further selections are provided.
 22. Themethod of claim 19, wherein any property selected for the selected glassproduct can be reinputted by the user to provide information identifyingone or more glass products which may be different than the originallyidentified glass product.
 23. The method of claim 19, further comprisingthe step of purchasing a glass product identified by the processing ofthe input of instructions selecting one or more properties of the glassproducts.